Mihalek: House Leader Should Not Put Political Wins Over Water Safety

July 1, 2026

HARRISBURG – In a letter Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny/Washington) sent to House Majority Leader Rep. Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) yesterday regarding improving safety on Pennsylvania waterways, she recommended if the majority leader is committed to making the topic a political one, her bill be reintroduced by a member of his own caucus.

“I get the political aspects of this business, but let’s face it – this is far from a political issue,” Mihalek said. “Nevertheless, if the win-loss column is of greater concern to Leader Bradford than doing the right thing by Pennsylvania’s hundreds of thousands of recreational boaters and swimmers, so be it. Let’s just get it done.”

The 2022 loss of Bethel Park teacher Jon Gentile motivated Mihalek to introduce legislation. Gentile fell victim to a low head dam while kayaking. Low head dams are highly dangerous because of the recirculating current they cause and because they are often invisible to approaching boaters and swimmers. Mihalek found that Pennsylvania leads the nation in deaths related to what have been dubbed “drowning machines.”

House Bill 961 was introduced in March 2025 and passed unanimously by the House Game and Fisheries Committee in November 2025. The proposal, which would require dams to be prominently marked with signs, has not been scheduled for a floor vote by House Democrats who control the chamber agenda because of their slim majority in the House.

In the letter, Mihalek told the majority leader that although some topics are rooted in partisan politics, this one is not.

“Rather than risk another loss of life, I ask you to please call the bill up for an immediate vote or take the proposal within House Bill 961 and introduce it in your name or that of a member on your side of the aisle,” the letter states. “Whichever path you choose, let’s get this done. I do not need credit for my work. I need to know that I have done everything in my power to get this across the finish line.”

Click here to review the letter.

Representative Natalie Mihalek
40th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724-875-8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepMihalek.com / Facebook.com/RepMihalek